St. Paul’s High School is pleased to announce Mr. Paul Soubry ’80 as the 2023 Ignatian Challenge Award recipient for this year’s Tribute Dinner on November 7, 2023.
“The Ignatian Challenge Award recognizes individuals who embrace the ideals of St. Ignatius of Loyola and, through their leadership and commitment to service, are examples for our students to become men for others,” states Kevin Booth ’78, President of St. Paul’s High School. “We are thrilled to honour Paul Soubry’s leadership and commitment to our community, as he exemplifies the ideals of a Jesuit education.”
Paul Soubry graduated from St Paul’s High School in 1980, holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba and attended the Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School.
Paul joined New Flyer Industries as President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2009, leading the company through a series of transformations and acquisitions that have led to become NFI Group Inc., a leader in the global bus and motor coach industry. Today, NFI employs approximately 8,000 people across nine countries and is leading the evolution to global zero-emission mobility. Prior to joining NFI, Paul worked at StandardAero for 24 years where he rose through the company, eventually becoming President and CEO.
Paul is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and a graduate of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (ICD.D). Paul currently sits on the Board of Directors of NFI Group, The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club/True North Sports and Entertainment and The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company. He previously sat on the Board of St Paul’s High School, Big Brothers of Winnipeg, the Mondetta Clothing Company, Economic Development Winnipeg and The Winnipeg Airport Authority.
In 1992, Paul co-founded the Mondetta Charity Classic, one of Manitoba’s leading charity golf events raising money for over 24 years for local and international children’s charities. Paul also co-chaired the St Paul’s High School capital campaign that resulted in the construction of the Paul Albrechtsen Multiplex and recently chaired the Front and Centre capital campaign for the University of Manitoba raising $626 million.
Paul speaks regularly on business, leadership, innovation and technology, and community involvement and has been active in United Way of Winnipeg campaigns. Paul was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 in 2003, inducted into the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Hall of Fame in 2014, and has received a number of awards and recognitions including: the Canadian Chartered Professional in Human Resources Patron of the Year Award in 2016, Canada’s CEO of the Year by the Financial Post in 2016, the University of Manitoba’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award, the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education Distinguished Service Award in 2020, an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Manitoba in 2022 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Transportation Diversity Council/Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2023.
Today, Paul lives and works in Winnipeg and has been married to Christine (nee MacInnes – SMA ’87) for 29 years and they have two children, Paul Soubry III ’13 and Madeline Soubry (SMA ’15).
Paul joins a distinguished group of past recipients: Dr. Arthur Mauro, Mr. Paul Albrechtsen, Dr. Michael Phelps ’63, Mr. Kevin and Mrs. Els Kavanagh, Mr. Gregg Hanson ’69, Fr. Joseph Driscoll SJ, Dr. Angus Reid ’65, Mr. Richard and Mrs. Kathryn Bracken, Mr. Joe Stangl, Dr. William Norrie, Mr. Robert Puchniak ’65, Mr. Gary and Mrs. Janice Filmon, Mr. Robert Chipman ’44, Mr. James Tennant ’66, Mr. Hubert Kleysen, Dr. Emöke Szathmáry, Dr. Peter MacDonald ’76, Mr. Gary Doer ’66, Mr. Paul and Mrs. Carol Hill, Mr. Michael Guertin ’76, Mr. Larry Franz, Sr. Lesley Sacouman, SNJM, Mr. Mitch Bourbonniere ’81, Mr. Steve ’68 and Mrs. Ruth Chipman, Sr. Bernadette O’Reilly and Mr. Phil Chiappetta ’75 of Rossbrook House, Mrs. Anne and Mr. Paul ’81 Mahon and 2022 recipients Mrs. Nancy and Mr. Carmine ’76 Militano.
The 28th Annual Ignatian Challenge Award Tribute Dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at the RBC Convention Centre. This event raises funds for our bursary fund, an essential aspect of a Jesuit education, ensuring accessibility to all qualified applicants. Your support of the Tribute Dinner is essential for us to meet our challenge of not turning away any qualified students for financial reasons.
AMDG
